Device and system for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device

ABSTRACT

A device and system for monitoring the status of a battery in an in-vivo imaging device, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device. The device may include a frame counter for counting the number of frames captured and may include monitoring the voltage of the battery. A warning signal is generated if it is determined that the battery is faulty prior to use. The warning signal can be generated by the device and/or by a receiver which receives data from the in-vivo imaging device and/or a by workstation which receives the data from the receiver.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/723,501, filed Mar. 20, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Ser.No. 60/787,187, filed on Mar. 30, 2006, both of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and a system for checking thestatus of a battery located in a sensing device in general and anin-vivo imaging device in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a sensing device may be an in-vivo sensing device, such as acapsule used, for example, for sensing of passages or cavities within abody, and for collecting data (e.g., image data, pH data, temperatureinformation, pressure information), as known in the art. Such sensingdevices are generally used in conjunction with other equipment that mayinclude, inter alia, various endoscopic imaging systems and equipmentfor performing imaging in various internal body cavities. Some suchsensing devices transmit the collected data to an external receivingunit.

The in-vivo sensing device may include, for example, an imaging systemfor obtaining images from inside a body cavity or lumen, such as thegastrointestinal (GI) tract. The imaging system may include, forexample, an illumination unit, such as a set of light emitting diodes(LEDs), or other suitable light sources. The device may include animaging sensor and an optical system, which focuses the images onto theimaging sensor. A transmitter and antenna may be included fortransmitting the images signals. Alternatively, a transceiver may beincluded so that the in-vivo sensing device may receive signals from anexternal transmitter. An external receiver/recorder, for example worn bythe patient, may record transmitted image data and store image and otherdata. The recorded data may then be downloaded from thereceiver/recorder to a computer or workstation for display and analysis.

The transmitter/transceiver and illumination unit of the in-vivo sensingdevice may be powered by a battery installed therein during production.The production process involves various stages during which the batterymay be intentionally or accidentally activated and consequently use someof its power. After production, the device may be stored for a period oftime and then shipped to a customer over another period of time. Duringthese periods of time, the battery may also possibly be accidentallyactivated and therefore use some of its power. The total time for whichthe battery was in use prior to the device reaching the customer is ameasure of the remaining battery life time.

Sensing of passages or cavities within a body may take several hours.Clearly, it is undesirable to use an in-vivo sensing device having abattery that is inoperative, or that may become inoperative before thein-vivo sensing device has completed imaging the required length ofpassages or cavities within the body that are under inspection. Ingeneral, components of the in-vivo sensing device have specifiedoperating voltage ranges. Situations may arise in which the in-vivosensing device's battery may become defective before use by the patient,or its voltage may not be constant over a required period of time.Therefore, if the voltage of the battery was to fall below a certaincritical voltage, some of the components may not function correctly, ifat all.

The in-vivo sensing device may be a closed and sealed unit such as anautonomous swallowable capsule in which the battery was installed duringproduction. Therefore, there is a need for a non-invasive method ofchecking the status of the battery, prior to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an in-vivo imaging device powered by a battery, comprising:

-   -   an imager for capturing image frames;    -   a frame counter for counting the number of image frames        captured; and    -   an indicator for indicating a warning if the number of image        frames captured exceeds a critical number of frames.

In accordance with some embodiments, the in-vivo imaging device may be aswallowable capsule.

In accordance with some embodiments, the swallowable capsule may beautonomous.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an in-vivo imaging system, comprising an in-vivo imaging deviceand a receiver, the in-vivo imaging device being powered by a battery,the receiver and the in-vivo imaging device being separate physicallynon-connected members;

-   -   the in-vivo imaging device comprising:    -   an imager for capturing image frames;    -   a frame counter for counting the number of image frames        captured; and    -   a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least the number of        image frames captured;    -   the receiver comprising:    -   at least one antenna for receiving data transmitted by the        in-vivo imaging device;    -   a receiver memory for storing data received by the at least one        antenna;    -   a receiver data processor; and    -   a receiver indicator for indicating a warning if the number of        image frames counted exceeds a critical number of frames.

In accordance with some embodiments, the transmitter is a radiofrequency transmitter.

In accordance with some embodiments, the transmitter transmits, interalia, image data.

In accordance with some embodiments, the imaging device may be aswallowable capsule and may be autonomous.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an in-vivo imaging system, comprising an in-vivo imagingdevice, a receiver and a workstation, the in-vivo imaging device beingpowered by a battery, the receiver and the in-vivo imaging device beingseparate physically non-connected members;

-   -   the in-vivo imaging device comprising:    -   an imager for capturing image frames;    -   a frame counter for counting the number of image frames        captured; and    -   a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least the number of        image frames captured;    -   the receiver comprising:    -   at least one antenna for receiving data transmitted by the        in-vivo imaging device; and    -   a receiver memory for storing data received by the at least one        antenna;    -   the workstation comprising a workstation indicator for        indicating a warning if the number of image frames captured        exceeds a critical number of frames.

If desired, the workstation indicator may be a workstation displayscreen or a source of light such as a Light Emitting Diode.

There also provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention amethod for checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device, comprisingthe steps of:

-   -   capturing image frames by an imager located in the in-vivo        imaging device;    -   counting the number of image frames captured; and    -   indicating a warning if the number of image frames captured        exceeds a critical number of frames.

In accordance with some embodiments, the warning is indicated by anindicator located in the in-vivo sensing device.

In accordance with other embodiments, the warning is indicated by thein-vivo imaging device shutting down.

In accordance with yet other embodiments, the warning is indicated bythe in-vivo imaging device suppressing the operation of illuminationsources.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method forchecking the status of an in-vivo imaging device, comprising the stepsof:

-   -   capturing image frames by an imager located in the in-vivo        imaging device; counting the number of image frames captured;    -   transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device the number        of image frames;    -   receiving the number of image frames at a receiver; and    -   indicating a warning by the receiver if the number of image        frames exceeds a critical number of frames.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, there is provided a methodfor checking the status in-vivo imaging device, comprising the steps of:

-   -   capturing image frames by an imager located in the in-vivo        imaging device;    -   counting the number of image frames captured;    -   transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device the number        of image frames;    -   receiving the number of image frames at a receiver;    -   downloading the number of image frames to a work station;    -   indicating a warning by the workstation if the number of image        frames exceeds a critical number of frames.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method forchecking the status of an in-vivo imaging device powered by a batteryinstalled therein, comprising the steps of:

-   -   monitoring the battery voltage;    -   comparing the monitored battery voltage with a critical voltage        value;    -   determining if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the        critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit;        and    -   indicating a warning by an indicator located in the in-vivo        sensing device, if the monitored battery voltage deviates from        the critical voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable        limit.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a method forchecking the status of an in-vivo imaging device powered by a batteryinstalled therein, comprising the steps of:

-   -   monitoring the battery voltage;    -   transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device monitored        battery voltage values;    -   receiving the monitored battery voltage values at a receiver;        and    -   comparing at the receiver the monitored battery voltage with a        critical voltage value;    -   determining at the receiver if the monitored battery voltage        deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an        acceptable limit; and    -   indicating a warning by an indicator located in the receiver, if        the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical voltage        value by amounts outside an acceptable limit.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, there is provided a methodfor checking the status of an in-vivo imaging device powered by abattery installed therein, comprising the steps of:

-   -   monitoring the battery voltage;    -   transmitting wirelessly by the in-vivo imaging device monitored        battery voltage values;    -   receiving the monitored battery voltage values at a receiver;    -   downloading the received monitored battery voltage values to a        workstation;    -   comparing at the workstation the monitored battery voltage with        a critical voltage value;    -   determining at the workstation if the monitored battery voltage        deviates from the critical voltage value by amounts outside an        acceptable limit; and    -   indicating a warning by an indicator located in the workstation,        if the monitored battery voltage deviates from the critical        voltage value by amounts outside an acceptable limit.

Generally, the warning may be a visible signal in the form of a flashinglight, or in the form of a written warning on a receiver display, or inthe form of an audio signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an in vivo imaging system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, various aspects of the present inventionwill be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurationsand details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understandingof the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to oneskilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced withoutthe specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well known featuresmay be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the presentinvention.

The device, system and method of the present invention may be used withan imaging system or device such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.5,604,531 entitled “In Vivo Video Camera System,” which is incorporatedherein by reference. A further example of an imaging system and devicewith which the system and method of the present invention may be used isdescribed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2001/0035902entitled “Device and System for In Vivo Imaging,” which is herebyincorporated by reference.

Reference is made to FIG. 1, showing a schematic diagram of an in-vivoimaging system according to embodiments of the present invention. Thein-vivo imaging system may comprise an in-vivo imaging device 10 and areceiver 12. Typically, the in-vivo imaging device 10 may be a wirelessdevice. In some embodiment, the in-vivo imaging device 10 may beautonomous. In some embodiments, the in-vivo imaging device 10 may be aswallowable capsule for capturing images, for example, images of thegastrointestinal tract of a patient. However, other body lumens orcavities may be imaged or examined with the in-vivo imaging device 10.The in-vivo imaging device 10 may include at least one sensor such as animager 14 for capturing image frames, a viewing window 16, a framecounter 18 for counting the number of image frames captured by theimager 14, one or more illumination sources 20, an optical system 22, atransmitter 24, a memory 26 a processor 28, an indicator 30 and abattery 32. In some embodiments, the transmitter 24 may be atransceiver, that is transmitter/receiver enabling the in-vivo imagingdevice 10 to receive data or instructions from an external unit. Suchsignals may include operational commands to change modes of operation ofthe in-vivo imaging device 10. The optical system 22 may include, forexample, lenses or mirrors, for focusing light onto the imager 14. Theimager 14 may be and/or contain a CMOS imager. Alternatively, otherimagers may be used, e.g. a CCD imager or other imagers. In someembodiments, the indicator 30 may be a source of light, such as a LED,whereas in other embodiments the indicator 30 may be the illuminationsources 20. In accordance with some embodiments, the in-vivo system maycomprise and in-vivo sensing device for sensing of passages or cavitieswithin a body, and for collecting data such as, but not limited to, pHdata, temperature data and pressure data. Instead of an imager forcapturing image frames, the in-vivo sensing device may have a sensor forsensing associated data cycles of the data being collected.

In some embodiments, prior to use by a patient, the in-vivo imagingdevice 10 is retained in a container in a non-operative state so that nopower, or only a negligibly small amount of power, is withdrawn from thebattery 32. According to one embodiment when the in-vivo imaging device10 is removed from the container, prior to use, it becomes operative.According to another embodiment, the in-vivo imaging device isactivated, i.e. made operative, by other means, prior to use by apatient. Under certain circumstances the in-vivo imaging device 10 maybecome operative for certain periods of time prior to it being used by apatient. That is, even before reaching the patient. This may happenduring production either intentionally in order to check the in-vivoimaging device 10 or accidentally. This may also possibly happen duringtransportation and possibly during storage of the in-vivo imaging device10. When the in-vivo imaging device 10 is operative it draws power fromthe battery 32 to operate, inter alia, the illumination sources 20, theimager 14 as it captures image frames and the transmitter as ittransmits, inter alia, image frame data captured by the imager 14. Thenumber of image frames captured by the imager 14 may be representativeof the time during which the in-vivo imaging device 10 was operative.Consequently, the number of image frames captured by the imager 14 andtransmitted by the in-vivo imaging device 10 prior to it being used bythe patient may be indicative of the effective remaining lifetime of thebattery.

In some embodiments, if the number of image frames captured andregistered by the processor, prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device10 by a patient, exceeds a critical number of frames, the batterylifetime is determined to be faulty and a faulty battery lifetimeindication is generated. If T1 is the lifetime in seconds of an unusedbattery, T2 is the time in seconds that the battery was in use beforethe in-vivo imaging device 10 reached the patient, and T3 is the timerequired for sensing passages or cavities within the body of thepatient; then T1−T2=T4 is the remaining lifetime of the battery andclearly T4 has to be greater than T3. If the time, T2, that the batterywas in use before the in-vivo imaging device 10 reached the patient,reaches a critical value TC for which T4 is not greater than T3, and theimager 14 captures images at a rate of N frames per second, then thecritical number of frames is N×T2. In a nonbinding example, if theimager 14 captures images at a rate of 2 frames per second and it isdetermined that TC=10 minutes, then the critical number of frames is1200.

The indicator 30 may indicate a warning that the effective remaininglifetime of the battery 32 is low, that is, lower than the batterylifetime necessary for the in-vivo imaging device to complete imagingthe required length of passages or cavities within the body that areunder inspection. The indicator 30 may be an auxiliary source of light,such as a LED, and the warning may be a flashing of the auxiliary sourceof light, flashing on and off. In other embodiments, the warning may beindicated by the illumination sources 20 flashing on and off at a givenfrequency different to the flashing on and off frequency used whencapturing image frames.

The transmitter 24 may transmit data, for example, via an antenna 34.Such data may include for example, image data and possibly the number ofimage frames captured by the imager 14 and possibly other data. Thetransmitted data may be received by the receiver 12 which is locatedoutside the patient's body, for example, via a receiver antenna 36 orantenna array.

According to one embodiment, the receiver 12 preferably includes areceiver memory 38, for storing data transmitted by the in-vivo imagingdevice 10 and a receiver processor 40 for processing at least partiallythe received data. The receiver 12 may include a display 42, fordisplaying, inter alia, the image data received from the in-vivo imagingdevice 10. The receiver 12 may also include a receiver indicator 44which may issue a warning that the battery power of the in-vivo imagingdevice's battery 32 is low. In some embodiments, the receiver 12 mayalso include a transmitter enabling it to transmit data or instructionsto the in-vivo imaging device 10 via a transmitter antenna.

In some embodiments, when the in-vivo imaging device 10 is activated,prior to being used by a patient, the number of image frames captured bythe imager 14 of the in-vivo imaging device 10, due to intentional orunintentional operation of the in-vivo imaging device 10, may betransmitted by the transmitter 24 and received by the receiver 12. Ifthe receiver processor 40 determines that the received number of imageframes exceeds the critical number of frames, the receiver 12 may issuea warning. The warning issued by the receiver 12 may be issued indifferent forms, depending on the nature of the receiver indicator 44.In some embodiments, the receiver indicator may be a source of light,such as a LED and the warning issued may be a visual signal, forexample, in the form of a flashing on and off of the receiver indicator44. Alternatively, the receiver indicator 44 may be an LCD display, orthe like, and the warning issued may be visual signal in the form of anappropriate written warning message indicating that the battery power ofthe battery 32 may be low. In some embodiments, the receiver indicator44 may be a loudspeaker, and the warning issued may be an audio signal.In other embodiments, the receiver indicator may be both a loudspeakerand a visual member, so that the warning issued may be either or bothaudio and visual. The warning issued by the receiver indicator 44 may bein addition to, or instead of, a warning issued by the in-vivo imagingdevice's indicator 30. In some embodiments, if the receiver processor 40determines that the received number of image frames exceeds the criticalnumber of frames, the receiver 12 may transmit to the in-vivo imagingdevice 10 an appropriate signal, indicating that the received number ofimage frames exceeds the critical number of frames as a result of whicha warning is issued by the in-vivo imaging device's indicator 30. Insome embodiments, if the receiver processor 40 determines that thereceived number of image frames exceeds the critical number of framesthe in-vivo imaging system electrically shuts down. In such embodiments,inadvertent use of the in-vivo imaging device 10 is prevented. Thesystem shut down may be a shut down of the in-vivo imaging device 10 orof the receiver 12, or of both the in-vivo imaging device 10 and thereceiver 12.

Situations may arise in which the in-vivo imaging device's battery 32may become defective, or its voltage may not be constant over a requiredperiod of time. In such cases, the voltage status of the battery 32 maybe such that the in-vivo imaging device may not function properly,independent of whether or not the number of image frames captured by theimager 14 exceeds the critical number of frames prior to use of thein-vivo imaging device 10 by the patient.

Prior to use of the in-vivo imaging device 10 the battery voltage may bemonitored and may be compared with a critical voltage value in thein-vivo imaging device 10 to determine if it substantially deviates fromthat value as a function of time. If, prior to use, the monitoredbattery voltage is determined to deviate from the critical voltage valueas a function of time by amounts outside an acceptable limit, then thebattery voltage is determined to be faulty and a faulty battery voltageindication is generated. In accordance with some embodiments, onactivating the in-vivo imaging device 10, the indicator 30 may indicatea warning. In accordance with other embodiments, on activating thein-vivo imaging device 10, the faulty battery voltage indication may betransmitted to the receiver 12 and the receiver indicator 44 mayindicate a warning. In accordance with yet other embodiments, onactivating the in-vivo imaging device 10, monitored voltage values maybe transmitted to the receiver 12 and may be compared with a criticalvoltage value in the receiver 12 to determine if they deviate from thatvalue as a function of time by amounts outside an acceptable limit. If,prior to use, the monitored battery voltage is determined to deviatefrom the critical voltage value as a function of time by amounts outsidean acceptable limit, then the receiver indicator 44 may indicate awarning.

In accordance with some embodiments, the number of images frames and themonitored battery voltage received by the receiver 12 may be downloadedfrom the receiver 12 to a workstation 46 that includes a workstationdisplay 48, a workstation indicator 50 and a workstation processor 52.Determining if the battery has a faulty lifetime and/or a faultyvoltage, may be performed at the workstation 46 by the workstationprocessor 52. If either or both of the two faulty battery conditions isdetermined to exist then appropriate warning may be indicated by thework station 46, either on the workstation display 48 or by theworkstation indicator 50. The warning on the workstation display 48 maybe in the form of a written warning. The workstation indicator 50 may bea source of light, such as a LED, for generating a visible warningsignal and/or a source of sound, such as a loudspeaker, for generatingan audio warning signal. In some embodiments, if it is determined by theworkstation processor 52 that either or both of the two faulty batteryconditions is determined to exist, the workstation may instruct thereceiver 12 to transmit to the in-vivo imaging device 10 an appropriatesignal, indicating the existence of a faulty battery condition, as aresult of which a warning is issued by the in-vivo imaging device'sindicator 30.

Accordingly, if on activating the in-vivo imaging device 10, prior touse by a patient, the battery is determined to be faulty, either byhaving a low effective remaining lifetime or by having unacceptablevoltage characteristics, the patient will be warned of the situation andmay decide not swallow the in-vivo imaging device 10.

In some embodiments, if on activating the in-vivo imaging device 10,prior to use by a patient, the battery is determined to be faulty,either by having a low effective remaining lifetime or by havingunacceptable voltage characteristics, the in-vivo imaging systemelectrically shuts down. In such embodiments, inadvertent use of thefaulty in-vivo imaging device 10 is prevented. The system shut down maybe a shut down of the in-vivo imaging device 10 or of the receiver 12,or of both the in-vivo imaging device 10 and the receiver 12.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Alternate embodiments are contemplated which fallwithin the scope of the invention.

1. A swallowable in-vivo imaging device, comprising: an imager forcapturing image frames; a battery to power said in-vivo imaging device;a frame counter for counting image frames captured by said imager; anindicator; a memory; and a processor configured to register capturedimage frames and cause said indicator to indicate a warning when anumber of image frames counted by the frame counter prior to swallowingof the in-vivo imaging device exceeds a critical number of frames;wherein the critical number of frames is calculated based on a lifetimeof the battery, an amount of time necessary to complete imaging of arequired length of a gastrointestinal tract, and an image frame capturerate of the imager, and wherein a difference between the lifetime of thebattery and a division of the critical number of frames by the imageframe capture rate is greater than the amount of time necessary tocomplete imaging of the required length of the gastrointestinal tract.2. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 1, comprising aswallowable capsule.
 3. The in-vivo imaging device according to claim 2,wherein the swallowable capsule is autonomous.
 4. An in-vivo imagingsystem, comprising an in-vivo imaging device and a receiver, the in-vivoimaging device being powered by a battery, the receiver and the in-vivoimaging device being separate physically non-connected members, thein-vivo imaging device comprising: an imager for capturing image frames;a frame counter for counting the number of image frames captured by saidimager; an indicator; and a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting atleast the number of image frames captured; the receiver comprising: atleast one antenna for receiving data transmitted by the in-vivo imagingdevice; a receiver memory for storing data received by the at least oneantenna; a receiver data processor; and a receiver indicator forindicating a warning if the number of image frames counted exceeds acritical number of frames wherein the critical number of frames iscalculated based on a lifetime of the battery, an amount of timenecessary to complete imaging of a required length of a gastrointestinaltract, and an image frame capture rate of the imager, and wherein adifference between the lifetime of the battery and a division of thecritical number of frames by the image frame capture rate is greaterthan the amount of time necessary to complete imaging of the requiredlength of the gastrointestinal tract.
 5. The in-vivo imaging systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the transmitter is a radio frequencytransmitter.
 6. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 5, whereinthe transmitter transmits image data.
 7. The in-vivo imaging systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the imaging device is a swallowablecapsule.
 8. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 7, wherein theswallowable capsule is autonomous.
 9. The in-vivo imaging systemaccording to claim 4, wherein the receiver indicator is a loudspeaker,and the warning is an audio signal.
 10. An in-vivo imaging system,comprising an in-vivo imaging device, a receiver and a workstation, thein-vivo imaging device being powered by a battery, the receiver and thein-vivo imaging device being separate physically non-connected members,the in-vivo imaging device comprising: an imager for capturing imageframes; a frame counter for counting the number of image frames capturedby said imager; a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting at least thenumber of image frames captured; the receiver comprising: at least oneantenna for receiving data transmitted by the in-vivo imaging device;and a receiver memory for storing data received by the at least oneantenna; the workstation comprising: a workstation indicator forindicating a warning if the number of image frames captured exceeds acritical number of frames, wherein the critical number of frames iscalculated based on a lifetime of the battery, an amount of timenecessary to complete imaging of a required length of a gastrointestinaltract, and an image frame capture rate of the imager, and wherein adifference between the lifetime of the battery and a division of thecritical number of frames by the image frame capture rate is greaterthan the amount of time necessary to complete imaging of the requiredlength of the gastrointestinal tract.
 11. The in-vivo imaging systemaccording to claim 10, wherein the workstation indicator is aworkstation display screen.
 12. The in-vivo imaging system according toclaim 10, wherein the workstation indicating indicator is a LightEmitting Diode.
 13. The in-vivo imaging system according to claim 10,wherein the workstation indicator is a loudspeaker, for generating anaudio warning signal.